Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
800. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the poor results from water quality testing in Dublin Bay; the measures his Department has taken to remedy the situation; the work that is being undertaken by his Departments to protect the bathing water quality in Dublin Bay and across the Dublin coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17339/23]
View answerThe primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation.
Bathing water quality continues to improve nationally, with 97% of the 148 identified bathing waters meeting or exceeding the minimum required standard. During the winter, bathing water quality tends to be less favourable simply due to the fact that in winter there is less sunlight to kill bacteria in the water and there’s a higher frequency of rainfall flushing material into watercourses.
In respect of the general protection of water quality in Dublin Bay, my Department is currently working with local authorities to examine the most suitable options to provide for safe bathing year-round, and to improve the provision of information on bathing water quality. Local authorities are continuously investigating potential sources of pollution such as underperforming sewer overflows and misconnections to the surface water drainage system. The Dublin Bay Task Force, chaired by Dublin City Council, is also carrying out work aimed at improving bathing water quality in the Dublin Bay area.
